Making Health Decisions Chapter 1 Ms. Fitchwell Health Education

What is Health? OUR GOAL….. Improved Quality of Life The degree of overall satisfaction that a person get’s from life. Health refers to the overall well-being of your body, your mind, and your relationships with other people 2 factors that can be used to evaluate health are life expectancy and quality of life.

What is Health Life Expectancy is the number of years a person can expect to live. Why has life expectancy increased in the United States???? - Medical Advances - Better nutrition - Improved sanitation - Better working conditions

3 Elements of Health Health is not merely the Physical well-being of an individual Health is the combination of your…… Physical Health Mental/Emotional Health Social Health

Physical Health Physical Health How well your body functions When you are physically healthy you are able to carry out every day tasks without becoming overly tired. Eating healthy, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and receiving proper medical/ dental care are important for physical health. GET OUTSIDE AND MOVE!!

Mental/ Emotional Health Mental Health Being comfortable with yourself, with others, and with your surroundings. People with good mental healthy have… An alert mind Learn from their mistakes Recognize their achievements Emotional Health How you react to events in your life. People with good emotional health… Avoid negative thoughts and emotions Consider all options and situations, then rationally expresses his/her emotions in response to the situation

Social Health Social Health Also involves: The way you get along with others Also involves: Your ability to make and keep friends Your ability to cooperate and communicate with others around you. It involves a constant respect and sense of responsibility for self and others.

Health Triangle In order to have optimal health, a person must be equally healthy in all three areas of the triangle. When one side of the triangle gets too much or little attention, the triangle becomes lopsided. To be truly healthy, you need to keep all 3 sides of your health triangle - and your life - in balance

NOTE: THIS CAN BE CONTROLLABLE Health Continuum Your health is dynamic (always changing) Your health is always changing its place on the continuum From day to day (year to year), you experience different levels of total health NOTE: THIS CAN BE CONTROLLABLE 5/7/2019

The Health Continuum Low energy level Frequent aches and pains Improved Health and Wellness Loss of Health and Wellness Health Continuum Illness High Level of Health Low energy level Frequent aches and pains Prolonged illness Negative outlook on life Isolated from others High energy level Enthusiasm for life Strong sense of purpose Feeling of well-being Supportive relationships Where do you think you are on the health continuum? 5/7/2019

WELLNESS WELLNESS – optimal health and vitality encompassing all 3 areas of health. Wellness (+) Physical Health (+) Mental/ Emotional Health (+) Social Health 5/7/2019

3 Categories of Risk Factors 1. Heredity risk factors 2. Environmental risk factors 3. Behavioral Risk Factors 5/7/2019

Heredity Heredity risk factors – to some extent, a person’s health is determined at the time they are born! Inherited risk factors such as… High blood pressure Breast cancer Heart disease Can you do anything about inherited risk factors? 5/7/2019

Environment Environmental risk factors - the surroundings in which one lives, both physical and social. Physical environment – includes both your outdoor and indoor environment. Things such as….. Air Water Sun (radiation) Loud noises Poisonous wastes Smoke filled room 5/7/2019

Social Social Environment – the people that you hang around with…your family, friends, classmates. At your age, your friends have a great influence on your level of wellness. WHY??? 5/7/2019

Behavioral Behavioral Risk Factors – are the day to day decisions that you make. They are often far more important to your health than both heredity and environmental risk factors. You alone decide which behavioral risk factors you will face such as… Drugs, tobacco, foods, keeping anger and strong feelings bottled up inside, not taking time to relax 5/7/2019

Taking responsibility for your health You are at the age where you have more control over your life than at any earlier age. Three most common causes of teenage death are not due to illness. Do you know the top three? (Hint: all three are linked to behavioral risk factors.) 5/7/2019

Three most common causes of teenage death are: Accidents Suicide Homicide What risk behavior is common to all three? SUBSTANCE ABUSE 5/7/2019

INFORMATION GATHERED FOR OTHER AGE GROUPS ALSO SHOW BEHAVIOR RISK FACTORS TO BE AT THE ROOT OF MANY OF THE COUNTRY’S HEALTH PROBLEMS. The practice of PREVENTION, or the practice of healthy behaviors can help keep a person free of disease and other health problems 5/7/2019

Prevention Prevention: practicing healthy habits to keep a person well and free from disease and other ailments Preventing injury and illness is the best way to promote health Examples: Wear seatbelt Wear helmets Apply sunscreen Avoid dangerous situations/areas Perform (+) lifestyle factors 5/7/2019

How can you make changes for your health? Awareness – you must be aware of potential health problems such as health concerns that run in your family’s history. Or, recognize unhealthy signs and see a doctor for treatment Knowledge – once you become aware of health problems, learn some of the facts about it! 5/7/2019

Apply the skill by practicing it. Decision Making – even with awareness and knowledge, it is not always easy to decide on the best course of action. Consider your values – the standards and beliefs that are important to you. Apply the skill by practicing it. Make it a habit, such as daily exercise, healthy food choices, healthy ways to release anger… 5/7/2019

Making Healthy Consumer Choices Consumer buys products or services for personal use. Factors to Consider before Buying a Product: Safety Cost Warranty Consumer Testing 5/7/2019

Making Healthy Consumer Choices Safety- Read product labels Does a food contain a substance that you are allergic to? Must the product be used only in a room that is well ventilated? Cost- Look to see if there are other brands or products that will give you the same results at a lower price 5/7/2019

Making Healthy Consumer Choices Warranty- An offer to repair or replace the product if there is a problem Consumer Testing- Government agencies and private groups test a wide range of consumer products Publish results and recommendations Saying whether or not the claims made for the product by the manufacturer are true 5/7/2019

The Effects of Advertising Advertising- Public promotion of a product or service (adds, television, radio, movies) Methods of Advertising: Scientific Studies Bandwagon Approach Testimonial Comparison to other products Emotional Appeal Price Appeal 5/7/2019

Scientific Studies- Scientific tests prove the product is effective “Tests prove that brand X works fast!” 2. Bandwagon- Everyone is using the product, you should too. “Don’t be left behind- use product X!” 3. Testimonial- The product is effective because trustworthy people recommend it “This medicine is recommended by doctors” 5/7/2019

5. Emotional Appeal- The product is safest for you and your family 4. Comparison to Other Products- The product is more effective than others “Brand X now has 20% more painkiller than brand Y!” 5. Emotional Appeal- The product is safest for you and your family “Choose brand X- your family’s health depends on it!” 6. Price Appeal- The product gives you more for your money “Brand X- the most for the least” 5/7/2019

Health Fraud Fraud- When a person tells lies to obtain money or property Health Fraud (Quackery)- People who sell useless medical treatment or products Health Fraud can keep people from receiving proper medical care! Do you research, obtain proper knowledge before seeking treatment!!!!!!!! 5/7/2019

Signs of Health Fraud Claims that a product/treatment is the only possible cure Promised results seem too good to be true A product is said to cure multiple ailments Product is said to contain “special” or “secret” ingredients 5/7/2019

Your Rights as a Consumer As a consumer, your have a right to: Information Need right information to make wise choices/ judgments Consumer protection by government agencies Agencies take action against quackery, remove unsafe products from the market Complain Identify the problem, decide your goals, collect documents, identify the person in charge 5/7/2019